Liberia Reacts to Ebola Virus Outbreak

In order to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which has a fatality rate of up to 90%, the Liberian government has closed most of its borders and imposed a ban on large gatherings. The five month long outbreak is responsible for 672 deaths and the infection of 1,201 people (including two American Health Care Workers). Early symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, and diarrhea and can be spread “through close contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted the health care community within the U.S. to be on the lookout for patients who have recently traveled to West Africa and who are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

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